Anita Soina a 20yearold Kenyan citizen is known for her love for nature and Environment conservation in general. She recently went online to protest the cutting down of trees for billboards. On 1st August 2020, in a tweet that went viral, she shared two photos showing trees cut down to create more visibility for the billboard and another one of herself, holding a placard with the following words:

“WE HAVE MORE BILLBOARDS THAN TREES in Nairobi, STOP CUTTING TREES FOR billboards.”

The pictures were accompanied with the following powerful caption:

“I’m against cutting trees for visibility of billboards. What hurts the most is they are not replaced and oh you can never compare a seedling with a fullygrown tree. PUT THE DAMN BILLBOARDS WHERE YOU DON’T NEED TO CUT TREES!!”

I'm not against Billboards , I'm against cutting of trees for visibility of billboards. What hurts the most is they are not replaced and oh you can never compare a seedling with a fully grown tree .

PUT THE DAMN BILLBOARDS WHERE YOU DON'T NEED TO CUT TREES !! @Environment_Ke pic.twitter.com/POky91JJJo

— #ClimateStrike (@anitasoina) August 1, 2020

Education and Upbringing

She is a 3rdyear student at Multimedia University pursuing a bachelor of arts in PR and corporate communication. Over the last 2 years, she has participated and organized different environmental activities in different parts of the countries. As an online marketer/manager/influencer; she chose to use her socials to sensitize the public on Environment conservation.

Anita Soina grew up in Bomet county and spent the better part of her Childhood at her late grandfather’s place, who loved growing trees and protected them from neighbors who used to cut down trees in his land for firewood.

“Since my grandfather passed on, I have always thought of growing more trees in his farm”

Anita was also a member of the scout’s movement back in high school and apart from being a “funkie” girl, she spent most of her time taking care of the scout trees in school. Anita loved to advise people to grow trees and say planting is not the right term unless you just want to put a seedling down and live it there.

“Most people do not know that we do not plant trees, we grow trees – there is a difference. We have so many people planting trees around, but they do not nurture them to maturity.”

Anita Soina Reacts to First Award Nomination: Top 35 Under 35

After being nominated for a recent award this is what she had to say:

“This is VERY BIG TO ME. It means a lot. This is the 1ST AWARD ever in life that I get nominated. There's always a first time for everything and I'm glad my 1st time is by @top35under35.

I have never applied for an award I don't know why but this was because many people nominated me before I even came to know about it.  To me, it means the World!

I am proud of the far I have come and I'm proud of what I'm yet to do for the community. "It's not about why I plant trees only it's about at least that's my little thing" I am writing this with tears of Joy. Thank you, God, and thank you to all of you for the positive message.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NOMINEES AND MAY THE BEST WIN. I'M HERE TO LEARM FROM ALL OF YOU AND FOR THE WINNER AS WELL.”

Inspiration and Love for the Environment

Anita says she believes she is the change and states that every person plays an important role in whichever positive impact they want to create.

“I am doing all this because if I don’t do it, nobody else will. The effects of climate change are evident and the majority have chosen to ignore this, we will all suffer consequences.”

What disturbs her is the fact that people who contribute less to Climate change are the ones to suffer the most.

The other inspiration behind the writing of her book is the discrimination in Climate activism that her role model faced months ago. Vanessa Nakate, a 23yearold Climate activist was earlier this year cropped put of a group photo leaving the white Activists in the photo.

“I never thought such things happen especially when it comes to climate crisis where we should all be United so as to provide solutions. I am writing this book to represent all Activists of the Global South and to pass a message that every activist's idea is important!”